Washington Nationals Top 10 Prospects for 2017

10. Kelvin Gutierrez, 3B

Birthdate: 8/28/94 (22 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: short season A, low A, high A
Stats in 2016: .296/.349/.401, 4 HR, 25 SB

Gutierrez was signed by the Nationals from the Dominican in April of 2013, and he’s worked his way up the system as an under-the-radar guy the whole way.

All Gutierrez has done along the way is hit and field well, which is why it’s surprising that his name is rarely mentioned among Nationals prospects. In fact, this is me going completely on a limb as none of the scouts and guys I talked with mentioned Gutierrez as a guy to consider in my top 10, but I’d seen quite a bit of him at Hagerstown and thought he had a place on this list after the Adam Eaton trade opened some spots.

All Gutierrez has done along the way is hit and field well

Gutierrez has a short, compact stroke from the right side that generates a ton of contact, but it does not result in a ton of power, though he is physically strong and can put on a show in batting practice.

He is a better athlete than his average speed grade would indicate, but that’s mostly due to below-average first-step quickness. He has very solid speed at top gear, and he has shown good instincts on the bases, allowing him to steal well, even without great first steps.

Defensively, Gutierrez has solid hands and an excellent arm that should profile as a plus defender at third base. His overall athleticism would also play well in an outfield corner if such a move was needed.

Gutierrez has shown an ability to limit strikeouts in his short pro career thus far, and if he can add in taking some more walks on top of that, he could really jump up lists like this one.

Gutierrez will likely open the 2017 season in high A.

Next: #9